Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his multi-hour long question-and-answer program to the Russia people today and as usual, there were some choice quotes to report. The video of the event is below.

One of the most interesting exchanges was over the conflict with Ukraine and the World Cup. When asked by a pro-Russian separatist fighter from the Donbass region of East Ukraine, where the conflict still rages, Putin commented, “I hope that there won’t be any provocations but, if it happens, I think it would have very serious consequences for Ukrainian statehood in general,” Putin said.

“Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian writer who advises rebels in the Russian-backed, separatist Donetsk region, asked Putin during a televised phone-in to comment about the possibility of Ukraine launching military action during the month-long tournament,” reported The Moscow Times.